yeah - I've also developed a healthy dose of humility....
After a 10K/5K dual event I was bemoaning my placement in the field with a friend (who has been running for a lot longer than I have), and he explained to me that, at least in our age group (50-59), that the winners in this group are of a generation that grew up running track and that yes, they are naturally athletic. These guys (and those girls that took advantage of Title IX) are really good and they are really fast.
Right now it is only in my dreams that I can see myself maintaining a 6min/mile pace for 5 miles. Your winner in the 50-59 group did it in a 5:36min/mile pace. Very impressive.
Gives us a goal, doesn't it ?! Never too late !
-bill